Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 29th May 2024

1. What is the primary use of a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) device?

A. To diagnose TB

B. For external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer

C. To measure heat waves

D. None of the above

• The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) signed an MoU on MRI and Linear Accelerator technology transfer with industry. The Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is used for cancer treatment through external beam radiation.
• It accelerates electrons using microwave technology to produce high-energy x-rays that target and destroy cancer cells. SAMEER is an autonomous R&D lab in Mumbai under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

2. INS Kiltan belongs to which class of submarines?

A. Kamorta class

B. Kalvari class

C. Vagir class

D. Karanj class

• Indian Naval Ship Kiltan arrived at Muara, Brunei, warmly welcomed by the Royal Brunei Navy. This indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette is the third Kamorta-class corvette under Project 28.
• Designed by the Indian Navy and built by GRSE in Kolkata, it features a carbon fibre composite superstructure for enhanced stealth and lower maintenance. It hosts advanced indigenous weapons and sensors, including torpedoes, ASW rockets, and air surveillance radar.

3. What is ‘Oedocladium sahyadricum’?

A. Protein

B. Algae

C. Virus

D. Bacteria

• A team of botanists at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, discovered a new algal species, Oedocladium sahyadricum, in the Western Ghats. Named after the Sahyadri region, it is dioecious, terrestrial, and mat-forming on damp soil. The alga, velvety green turning yellowish-green when mature, has potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and natural pigment production. This is Kerala’s first recorded species of Oedocladium.

4. What is the theme of ‘World Hunger Day 2024’?

A. Thriving Mothers, Thriving World

B. Zero Hunger: A World without Hunger

C. Leave No One Behind

D. Unchain Our Food

• World Hunger Day 2024, observed annually on May 28, raises awareness about global hunger and malnutrition. The theme, “Thriving mothers. Thriving world.” highlights the impact of malnutrition on women and children, affecting over 1 billion worldwide.
• The day advocates for sustainable food systems to combat hunger’s root causes like war and climate change. It emphasizes the intergenerational effects of malnutrition and aims to provide proper nutrition to millions worldwide.

5. Recently, where was the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS-2024) held?

A. New Delhi

B. Vienna

C. Washington

D. Tehran

• The IAEA’s International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) 2024, held in Vienna, highlighted nuclear waste concerns. Currently, 145 states report incidents of lost, stolen, or mishandled nuclear materials to the IAEA. Radioactive substances are widely used in medical, educational, and industrial sectors. The main concern is extremists using these materials in a “dirty bomb,” which, though less deadly than an atomic bomb, could cause mass panic in urban areas.

6. Rajaji Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Uttarakhand

C. Kerala

D. Gujarat

• A tigress translocated from Corbett Tiger Reserve to Rajaji Tiger Reserve has given birth to four cubs, according to the Chief Wildlife Warden. Rajaji National Park, established in 1983 and located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is a vital link to other tiger habitats in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The reserve, named after freedom fighter C. Rajgopalachari, became India’s 48th tiger reserve in 2015.

7. Which space organization has recently launched a tiny satellite to measure heat lost from Earth’s poles?

A. NASA

B. ISRO

C. JAXA

D. CNSA

• NASA recently launched one of two climate satellites to study heat emissions at Earth’s poles, named PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment). This mission is vital for analyzing Earth’s energy budget, which determines its temperature and climate. Currently, there’s no way to measure far-infrared radiation emitted from the Arctic and Antarctica, leaving a gap in understanding the planet’s energy balance. The second satellite will be launched soon to address this gap.

8. Pravaah Portal is launched by which institution?

A. RBI

B. SBI

C. NABARD

D. SEBI

• RBI Governor unveiled three major initiatives: Pravaah portal, Retail Direct Mobile App, and a FinTech Repository. Pravaah is a secure web-based portal for seeking authorizations, licenses, and regulatory approvals from the RBI. Key features include online application submission, status tracking, query responses, and timely decisions. It enhances the efficiency of regulatory processes, with 60 application forms available, including a general-purpose form for various requests.

9. Recently, who has been appointed as the chairperson of the Committee A at 77th World Health Assembly?

A. Rajesh Bhushan

B. Apurva Chandra

C. A K Mittal

D. Amit Agarwal

• Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary of India, has been appointed Chairperson of Committee A at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, held from May 27 to June 1. Committee A addresses crucial health topics like universal health coverage, emergency preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and WHO financing. Chandra highlighted India’s COVID-19 management and commitment to global health, reflecting the “One World, One Family” philosophy and promoting health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

10. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL or IOC) recently signed an MoU with which armed force of India to promote hydrogen and fuel cell technology?

A. Indian Army

B. Indian Navy

C. Indian Air Force

D. Indian Coast Guard

• The Indian Army and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to incorporate green and sustainable transport solutions. Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and IOCL Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya were present. The Army received a hydrogen fuel cell bus, marking the start of this collaboration, aimed at fostering innovation and advancing sustainable transport, according to the defence ministry.

11. Recently, where was the ‘Asian Armwrestling Championship 2024’ held?

A. New Delhi, India

B. Astana, Kazakhstan

C. Tashkent, Uzbekistan

D. Beijing, China

• Indian armwrestlers won seven medals at the Asian Armwrestling Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan: one gold and six bronze. Shrimat Jha secured India’s only gold in the left-hand para category and a bronze in the right-hand para category. Laxaman Singh Bhandari and Sachin Goyal won two and one bronze medals, respectively. Ibi Lollen won two bronze medals in women’s categories. Preeti Jhangiani, PAFI president, praised the team’s success.

12. Recently, which Indian peacekeeper received the ‘United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year for 2023’?

A. Lakshmi Sehgal

B. Radhika Sen

C. Sophia Qureshi

D. Priya Jhingam

• Major Radhika Sen, an Indian peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, received the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year for 2023. Serving with MONUSCO, she led the Engagement Platoon, established Community Alert Networks, and conducted mixed-gender patrols. Her efforts included providing education and training for locals, empowering women, and fostering a safe, inclusive environment. Her service ran from March 2023 to April 2024. The award, established in 2016, honors peacekeepers integrating gender perspectives. Major Sen is the second Indian recipient after Major Suman Gawani in 2019, who served in South Sudan.